WOODLAKE – Daniel Villalpando says the Scorpion peppers, oregano and tomato plants given away at the Bravo Lake Botanical Garden’s Berry Tasting event on Saturday would make a good start for any home garden.

“That gives me an idea what else to put in,” he said. “Garlic, onions, cilantro and carrots would make good complements.”

Villalpando, who started volunteering at the garden as a way to complete community hours, was staffing the station where the plants were being given away, ensuring those attending the event got all their questions answered about proper care.

“It’s different,” Villalpando said of his volunteer work on Saturday. Previously, Villalpando said he has volunteered for planting and completing maintenance around the botanical garden’s grounds.

On Saturday, Villalpando told those picking up plants the Scorpion peppers are hot and needed to be planted on the ground. The tomatoes were the red kind and were better off getting planted on the ground as well. The oregano, the pleasant-smelling, flavoring herb, was ideal to be kept in a pot.

Manuel Jimenez, the garden’s patriarch, said the plants were donated to the garden and are a good way to introduce people to home gardening.

Jimenez, a Master Gardener with the UC Cooperative Extension, said home garden plants shouldn’t be placed too close together. Also, when planting, home gardeners should consider adding fertilizer and compost to the ground, after it has been dug up and moist.

And as for watering, home gardeners should not drench plants on a daily basis. Overwatering is a frequent mistake rookie gardeners make in their efforts to have a green garden.